vicky3269

There is a SNF in Fort Bragg (a coastal town in Mendocino County) called Sherwood Oaks that was hiring new grad RNs last month. If any of you don't mind relocating to a beautiful area right on the beach, I would check into it. I only know this because they emailed my nursing school to let us new grads know about all the positions they had available. All of the new grads from my program have found jobs, and none of them were at this facility, so they probably have positions still open. Hope this helps! Vicky

I think this is a terrific idea, because even when hospitals do start hiring new grads again, the number of candidates applying is going to be horrific, and this way if you are working on a floor already and doing a great job, they will most likely hire you first. I got lucky and got hired as a new grad a few weeks ago, and they had me spend six hours at the nurses station yesterday working with the ward clerk. Let me tell you, I learned so much! And I think that is a quick way to impress your fellow co-workers, as long as you are organized and can multi-task because that position requires great multi-tasking skills! As far as test-taking, I am having to take written competency tests (that I can take home and do at my convenience), but so far I haven't seen anything that I thought I would have needed to prepare for. Good luck! Vicky

Hello HireMe! I would love to get the list you have! Can you email it to me? . Thanks! Vicky

Hi Meech, thanks for your help. Unfortunately both friends who are awaiting their results have already taken it once and failed, so I know there is nothing wrong with their files. That is why I was shocked to hear your friend received results already. I had heard a rumor that the board had laid off a bunch of people and so results would be slower to be posted/sent out since they were dealing with fewer workers in the office, plus having the office closed on Fridays now. But I guess if your friend's results were posted in 2 business days, it isn't looking good for my first friend. Thanks again! Vicky

MEECH - Did you say your friend took it this past Friday and got her results yesterday??? Were the results posted on the board's website? I have a friend who took it last Tuesday and her results are still not posted, and I have another friend who took it this past Monday and she is hoping to see results posted by tomorrow. Thanks! Vicky

Hmmm, as a new grad I was wondering the same thing. However I have been told by a few people (including a nurse recruiter) that generally hospitals don't like to hire RNs after working in a SNF as I guess they just don't consider it acute care experience. If this economy ever gets back to where it was however, I am sure there will be a HUGE nursing shortage and they will probably take whoever they can get. Good luck! Vicky

Is the RN to BSN online program at Chamberlain accredited by all the major accreditors? LOL! I am looking into this program, but I want to make sure it will count EVERYWHERE! Thanks in advance! Vicky

My friend took the NCLEX a week and a half ago and her name still is not posted on the board as an RN. She had 265 questions. We are thinking she probably failed. How much longer will it be before she gets the FAILED notice in the mail? Her IP is still good, so she can technically still work as an RN! Just wondering how much longer she has to wait to find out! Thanks for any help you can give, Vicky

Did you say you called and found out you passed today??? I thought they wouldn't tell you results over the phone! My friend took it on July 2nd, and her name has not been posted yet and she is dying. Thanks, Vicky

As far as I know staffing agencies only take in experienced nurses, although I could be wrong. Hopefully someone else might know more...

Oh duh! Thanks very much! I just took the NCLEX last Friday and found out I passed on Tuesday. I had about 7 or 8 SATAs. I hate those! ; ) Vicky

Can someone please tell me what SATA stands for? LOL Thanks, Vicky

You know I'm not really stressing over 500 applicants, because I feel whatever is meant to be will happen. If I am meant to work at the VA, I will fill one of those 10 spots, regardless of how many apply. :wink2:

Oh good, I was hoping that was the case. Some of those ATI questions were really tough! Thanks! I take the NCLEX two weeks from today! Vicky

Good luck! I take mine two weeks from today! Vicky

Yes, you heard right. No classes, labs, or clinicals on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday! In fact, the first half of the first semester the program is Monday through Thursday, but after that it is only 3 days per week. Start time depended on what semester you were in, but I believe the first semester I never had to be there earlier than 9:00. I think the second semester some days started at 8:30. Of course on your clinical day you have to be there at 6:00 or 6:30 depending on where you are placed. Figure it will take you about one hour and 20 minutes to get from Petaluma to Ukiah. I live in the East Bay and ended up renting a small place up there because the commute was killer (but that was 2+ hours for me). Hope this helps! Vicky

You already have a years experience? Doesn't that disqualify you for applying to a New Grad program? You should be able to just apply anywhere in the Bay Area as an experienced nurse! You should get a job right away! Vicky

I just graduated from Mendocino's nursing program. Their program is still fairly new and SMALL. They take 18 every year plus 4 LVN to RN bridge students. This year there were 130 applicants for the 18 spots, however it is still worth a shot because it is now a lottery system. The directors are GREAT and have developed a great nursing program that is rated 17th in the state (out of over 150). If you have any other questions about Mendocino, feel free to send me a PM. Vicky

Wow, that just really narrowed it down, LOL. Vicky

My top three choices were Med/Surg, ER, and Subacute/Long Term in Livermore. I will definitely update when I hear, please do the same! Thanks! Vicky

I applied as well and haven't heard anything at all. How did you find out they had 20 new grad openings? That's a lot! Thanks, Vicky

What part of Washington State? Would it be close to a major airport? If I were you (and I might be, I graduate in 7 weeks!) I would take the WA job. You are going to be making good money, and you might find it more feasible to fly home every other week, if you are near a big airport, such as Seatac. The only RN program I got into was 2 hours away from my home in the Bay Area, and my family completely understood, so we rented a tiny place for me while I was in school and I came home every other weekend. It has worked out well, and i was looking forward to coming home again permanently, but I might be looking at relocating for another one to two years myself if that's what I need to do to get that first job in acute care. Also, if you are making $30/hour, you might find it easy to save the $2000 so that after the first year you could break contract and pay the $2000 back to the agency. Then you would only be gone one year and you would have your one year of acute care experience so you would probably have no problem finding a job near your house then. Keep us posted! By the way, what agency did you use? Do they take new grads right out of school? Thanks, Vicky :wink2:

Gee Whiz, what kind of physical fitness test do they put you through? Sounds like you have to be as fit as Superman to get hired! How realistic is that? Vicky

To all of you who applied for a new grad spot at UCLA: how did you submit your application online? Was there a job opening to click on specifically for a new grad position? I filled out the "My Profile", but there is no way for me to submit an application without applying for a specific position, and there are no new nurse positions! Please help! Thanks, Vicky

Sully, I have one more question! Are they 12 hour shifts there? If so, what are the hours? 5 to 5? 7 to 7? Thanks so much, Vicky